"Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Reins to Change Hands at Multinational Corps Iraq

By Fred W. Baker IIIAmerican Forces Press Service

Feb. 13, 2008 - The command element of Multinational Corps Iraq changes hands tomorrow, as the flag is passed from the U.S. Army's 3rd Corps headquarters to that of 18th Airborne Corps. Multinational Corps Iraq is part of Multinational Force Iraq and is the tactical unit responsible for command and control of operations throughout Iraq.

Formal responsibility for the command will transition from Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III. Odierno took command of the multinational corps Dec. 14, 2006.

This is the 18th Airborne Corps' second tour in Iraq. Its first was in 2005.

"This transition marks the end of an extraordinary period of service and sacrifice by the 3rd Corps team. Their leadership, teamwork and toughness underpinned the broad improvements that have been achieved in recent months," said Navy Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith, director of Multinational Force Iraq's Communication Division.

More than 900 18th Airborne Corps soldiers arrived at Camp Victory, Iraq, in waves from Jan. 11 to Feb. 7.